Spoke to Guide old issue revisited @nd UPDATE page 3

[trampslady]

Okay, call me an idiot....what am I missing here. We originally bought over the telephone, sight unseen (BCV). No special incentive other than what was offered up front to everyone. Next purchase was a 50 point add-on at HH....and another 100 at BCV. I'm holding the paperwork for 130 SSR add-on right now with intent to notarize papers on Friday and send back. We got the $85 per point offer for next years contract with two annual passes included.

From what I can gather here, if we were to wait a few weeks and take a "tour" we may have been offered even something more lucrative? I'm certain I'm missing something, so please be gentle when explaining.

 

[kenziesmamaw]

We just completed the paperwork for our first DVC purchase at SSR. We are getting 175 points at $95/point with a $10/point incentive, making them $85/point. Our other option was to pay the $95/point and get a matching 175 points for use immediately as a one time incentive.

The discussion here is about that very incentive. It is apparently not something you can just call up and get, but it is being offered to people who tour, but with a 3-day limit to accept it. From what I gather, some people have had the offer extended while others have not.

That's my basic understanding....some who have been through the entire thread can probably give more detail.

I think your add-on deal is a special offer to current owners, though, because the AP's are not part of any incentive to new owners from what I can find out.

 

[trampslady]

Thanks, Kenziesmamaw! Oh, and congrats on what I am certain is one of the best investments for creating cherished family memories that one can make! Just don't get the add-on bug like we have!

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by kenziesmamaw
The discussion here is about that very incentive. It is apparently not something you can just call up and get, but it is being offered to people who tour, but with a 3-day limit to accept it.

Not entirely correct. In fact, if your first point of contact with DVC is over the phone, the current incentives are offered with no expiration date attached. However, if you tour the model rooms at WDW or meet with a Guide during a Disney Cruise, the same incentives are usually offered on a time-limited basis.

 

[kweaver]

You can read the original post about the "three day rule" here if you want to get a better understanding of the situation:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread...ide++discount

Basically, these incentives are offered to everyone and have no expiration date. However, if you bother to take time out of your vacation to take a tour of the models...the guide will tell you that the incentives are now only good for the next three days. There are some discrepancies as to when the three day rule is applied...and how it is extended for some folks and not for others.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Yes that is it. Basically what is not told to you until after the tour is that the incentives expire because you took the tour. Now if this was a blanket policy and only extended in emergencies I would have no problem BUT it isn't enforced that way. It seems if you get the luck of the draw with a guide some will" ask their managers" for an extention or others will lie and say extensions are impossible (which happened to me).

I have no problem with this if it were applied equally to everyone but it is not. So honestly they should do away with it. DVC sells itself quite well IMO. They should really stop the stuff that upsets the customers. If you search the archives this issue has come up ALOT and it is 95% negative. It puts DVc in line with other TS's IMO.

Especially after the way I was spoken to today by our former guide.

 

[trampslady]

So.....you can call and automatically get the incentive offers with no talk of deadlines, but the exact same incentives are only applicable for 72 hours should you inquire in person? If that's the case, I would imagine that even the Guides would prefer to do away with such unscrupulous operations.

Indeed, DVC does sell itself; there's really no need for deceptive practices.

 

[mwehttam]

Hi all. I am not a DVC member but the DF and I are thinking about it. We are staying at OKW for our Honeymoon (friends are DVC'ers and they gave us some points as part of our wedding present). WE were planning on going to SSR and taking the tour and go through the sales pitch. We are not sure if or when we are buying. I have been doing my reasearch, reading this board almost everyday for the last month or two. Not sure if we want to do SSR or an add-on.

After reading this thread, I am not sure if we should to the tour. Can and should we ask for a specific guide (would possible ask for our friends guide)? Any advice would really help.

Thanks all for all the great information on these boards!!

 

[BEACHCLUBVILLAS]

Can you just walk through the models during their open house and not leave your name? Then when you get home, call and ask for the video to be sent to you and at that time ask for a specific guide? Then you will not be held to any silly 3 day rules.

 

[tjkraz]

For what it's worth, here is what I would recommend.

If you're at WDW and interested in DVC, ABSOLUTELY take the tour. Speak to someone at one of the kiosks. DVC will send a car to pick you up at your resort or any other location on property. They'll drive you to SSR, give you a great look at the property and rooms, and then they'll drive you back to your resort or another destination. You may even get a few free FastPasses out of it, and the time you expend will be minimal.

If (and 'IF' is the keyword) they mention a 3-day time limit, press them for whatever additional time you feel you might need. Do it right while you are there. I'd suggest being specific. If you need two weeks, ask for two weeks. If they hedge, let them know that you know you can buy a contract via resale and removing the incentive will make your decision that much easier.

I bet you'll get pretty good results with that approach.

If they refuse to budge, just be aware that in order to keep the discount in force, all you need to do is give them a $500 deposit within the 3 day timeframe. At this stage there is still no firm commitment on your part and the $500 is completely refundable. Once the deposit is left, they will prepare your formal purchase agreements and send them to your house. Sit on those documents as long as you wish. If you decide to move forward, you'll still get the discounted pricing when you sign and return the paperwork. If you decide not to buy, call DVC and they will refund your deposit.

It's impossible to tell what will happen from this point forward regarding the discounts. DVC may choose to phase-out the 3-day time limit altogether. Or they may begin taking a hardline stance that the deadline is never to be extended. I still believe that DVC was unaware at upper management levels of the frequent extensions granted, and this recent conversation by 3DisneyNUTS may very well have an impact on the way that they approach the discounts moving forward.

 

[kweaver]

Excellent advice, tjkraz.

mwehttam - I would keep doing as much research as possible here...and make a decision about finances, etc. before you visit.

Then take the tour, and follow tjkraz's advice.

Yes, you can ask for a specific guide. If your friends own DVC...be sure to put them down as a referral...they will get some Disney dollars if their state allows these kind of referral bonuses.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by trampslady
If that's the case, I would imagine that even the Guides would prefer to do away with such unscrupulous operations.

Indeed, DVC does sell itself; there's really no need for deceptive practices.

I think labeling DVC "unscrupulous" or "deceptive" is a little harsh. Well...OK...I can live with "deceptive," but not necessarily on this particular issue.

We bought points at SSR from home last September. Other than a description of the DVC program and a lot of info on the existing properties, the only thing we got regarding SSR was a proposed resort map, room floorplans, and a handful of "artist renderings" of what the property would look like.

I think those who are able to tour the resort, tour the rooms, and have a one-on-one conversation with a knowledgable Guide have a tremendous advantage over those of us who are largely buying on faith.

I don't know what lead DVC to offer extensions to some folks and not others. Personally, I think they should offer a little more time--maybe 7-10 days from the day your Disney trip ends--and just stick with it.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

You know according to the manager yesterday the only way to get the extention is to have it approved by a DVC sales mamager (same position of the manager I spoke with). So when any DVC sales employee acts like it is only in dire emergencies and it is a strict policy it is deceptive.

The managers call started off with explaing "the rules" (scroll up in the thread I listed them) and then when I brought up what my guide said then he started to change the story a bit.

Then I think I got the full story. Which is that they will extend but only with a managers approval and they have it in the notes in the computer under your contract information. So if a salesman does not get manager approval he cannot extend.

The discrepency comes in on how this gets presented to the customer. Our guide said absolutely no way. Then in conversation with my DH even denied it was possible when we said friends of ours got it extended. My converstation the next day went through every arguement, that it was impossible, then he did extend, then it was my fault for not explaining my circumstances (which I did) and when he realized my side of it was holding firm, he then blew me off saying to contact management.

My problem is not the deadline it is the fact that not everyone is afforded the courtesy of an extention even when they ask repeatedly, while others get it without a hesistation.

So consistancy should be the key IMO. Or just stop the silly incentives and let DVC sell itself like it does already anyway.

But I am sorry I got going again I said alot off this already. My first paragraph was what I wanted to point out that all extentions must get DVC manager approval or the guide is breaking company policy. At least this is what the DVC manager told me yesterday anyway.

It is hard to know who to believe anymore KWIM?

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Oh and for newbies WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN. I had every date available for the manager so when I had to explain what was my issue I was totally together with it. Make sure each key part of the conversation you have with your guide is jotted down. Crap I would even recommend taping the converstation since I wish I taped my guides converstation with me. IMO there was no "magic" there lol.

 

[Terry S]

mwehttam... As other have mentioned as long as you put down the deposit within the 3 days and have them send you the paperwork (don't do this while you are there, they will have you fill out the paperwork then) you can then sit on the paperwork for a few weeks if you wish. I have done that for a few of my add-ons because I didn't get around to getting them notirized.

 

[trampslady]

I guess I'm still missing why the "gotta do it now" approach in person, but the "hey, here's the offers on the table now" talk when you call to inquire.

Being in Customer Relations rather than sales has apparently tainted my view on the matter.

All in all, I love my Disney and my Disney Vacation Club. I have faith in the integrity of the company, and, truly, this was a huge motivator for my husband and I to invest in DVC. After our very first trip ever to Disney in 2002, we were blown away by the apparent committment that Disney has to exceeding their guests expectations. Of course, we both work for companies with a strong Customer Service philosophy as well which probably made our Disney experience all the more special to us.

My words "unscrupulous" and "deceptive" might have been a bit harsh. I don't believe that they are intending to be that way, but for the average Joe who feels betrayed by the current way of handling "on property" sales, it could certainly feel that way.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by trampslady
I guess I'm still missing why the "gotta do it now" approach in person, but the "hey, here's the offers on the table now" talk when you call to inquire.

Being in Customer Relations rather than sales has apparently tainted my view on the matter.

All in all, I love my Disney and my Disney Vacation Club. I have faith in the integrity of the company, and, truly, this was a huge motivator for my husband and I to invest in DVC. After our very first trip ever to Disney in 2002, we were blown away by the apparent committment that Disney has to exceeding their guests expectations. Of course, we both work for companies with a strong Customer Service philosophy as well which probably made our Disney experience all the more special to us.

My words "unscrupulous" and "deceptive" might have been a bit harsh. I don't believe that they are intending to be that way, but for the average Joe who feels betrayed by the current way of handling "on property" sales, it could certainly feel that way.

Remember this is still a sales issue. While DVC may be the least pushy of all timeshare sales, that doesn't mean they will usually encourage you not to buy. It's still "timeshare sales" plain and simple.